Iran arrests Al Qaeda member on border with Pakistan

Iran has arrested an Al Qaeda member in the country's south-eastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan, head of border police of Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Hassan Asadollahi said, Fars news agency reported today.

Asadollahi said that the arrested man has confessed that he was planning to commit sabotage acts inside Iran.

The arrested person has been a member of Al Qaeda and Taliban groups for six years, he added.

There is no detailed information about identity of the arrested man.

On October 25, fourteen Iranian border guards were killed and six injured in an attack in the border city of Saravan in the Sistan and Baluchestan Province. Three border guards were also taken hostage by the assailants.

On October 26, Iran hanged 16 "terrorists" in Zahedan city of Sistan and Baluchestan Province.

Public prosecutor of Zahedan city Mohammad Marzieh said that this execution was an answer to armed clash among Iranian border guards and group of armed people.

Mohammad Marzieh said that Iran has previously warned against such terrorist plots, and said that appropriate measures will be carried out against terrorists.